Related Links

London - Feliciano
Lopez set a new record for consecutive Grand Slam appearances on
Tuesday when he started his 66th major in a row at Wimbledon,
attributing the landmark to playing in an era of "monsters and animals".

On Tuesday, the 70th-ranked Lopez grabbed the record outright when he
faced Federico Delbonis of Argentina at the All England Club before
completing a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Lopez has not missed a Slam since making his debut at the 2001 French Open.

"When I was about to break the record, I thought, wow, I'm going to
beat Federer at something!" joked Lopez who has lost all 13 matches he
has played against Federer in his career.

Lopez admitted that playing at the same time as Federer, Rafael Nadal
and Novak Djokovic had helped inspire him to keep going despite never
making the semis of a Slam or breaking the world's top 10.

"The most important thing is to stay healthy and to be able to
compete against these monsters, because for me I played in the past
against monsters," he explained.

"After I passed 30 it was so important for me to stay fresh and
healthy, just to challenge these animals, because their level overall is
getting higher and higher in the last decade."

Lopez's best runs at the majors have all come at Wimbledon with three quarter-final runs in 2005, 2008 and 2011.

He also made the last eight at the US Open in 2015.

Three of his six career tour titles have come on grass - at
Eastbourne in 2013 and 2014 and Queen's last year - in a testament to
his effortless serve-and-volley style.

Lopez said there was no great secret to his longevity which has seen him spared any serious injuries.

He has also been helped by his easy style.

"I think I don't play so many rallies. Also my technique. I play
quite easy, so I don't make a huge effort in every single shot that I
play. That's also important," said Lopez who next faces fifth seeded
Juan Martin del Potro, the former US Open champion.

"I don't drink Coke. I don't eat bread, no milk. Those three things I don't take. The rest - I eat everything."

"I have been very lucky."

Federer was quick to congratulate Lopez, who he first played as a
junior in the unlikely tennis surroundings of Hatfield to the north of
London.

"I'm happy for him. I had a good run," said the eight-time Wimbledon champion.

"But it's nice that more and more players are able to keep themselves in shape.

"Especially I think as Feliciano and me, we go way back to the Junior
European Championships under-16s in Hatfield, all the way to today,
that we can talk about breaking each other's records, him breaking
mine.

"It's a great thing. It's a testament for both of us to keep yourself in shape, loving the sport."

Featured

The 2018/19 Absa Premiership season is in full swing. Will Mamelodi Sundowns retain their title? Or can one of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Wits, SuperSport United - or another team perhaps - snatch glory from the Brazilians? Be sure to visit Sport24 for all the latest news!